The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that more people are being hospitalized with the flu this season than in the past 15 years. However, one family’s tragic experience highlights the devastating consequences of the illness.
Four-year-old Locklynn Boler fell ill with the flu and experienced severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing and collapse. Her father, Brad, rushed her to the hospital where she was put into CPR for three rounds before regaining a pulse. Despite this, Locklynn suffered massive brain injuries, leaving her unable to walk again.
According to Dr. Leah Croll, a neurologist at Maimonides Health, brain damage from the flu is a known risk, particularly in children. The CDC has reported that 13% of children who died from the flu this season had brain damage.
Experts are warning parents and doctors to take the flu seriously, as the current season is more intense than any seen in the past 15 years. While Locklynn is now awake and off a ventilator, her father’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with the illness.
Source: https://abc7.com/post/ohio-girl-4-flu-hospitalized-brain-damage-cdc-looking-intensity-years-strain/15980730